NASA, University Advanced Manufacturing Center Welcomes ALCOA

Global High Tech Metals Leader Will Enhance Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing  Research and Development

The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) today announced that light metals producer Alcoa, will join the research consortium. CCAM  is a coalition of businesses, Virginia’s top universities, and the NASA Langley Research Center.

As an Organizing Industry Member, Alcoa will conduct proprietary research at CCAM’s state-of-the-art facility in Prince George County, Va., and retain IP ownership of its developments as well as collaborate with member companies on research for new manufacturing techniques and processes. 

“Alcoa is driven by innovation – not only from our own scientists and engineers but also through collaboration and ideas shared by those outside our company,” said Director of Technology Leighton Cooper, who will serve on CCAM’s Industrial Operations Board and provide oversight of CCAM’s operations and review of research programs. “Our membership with CCAM will increase efficiencies and provide advanced manufacturing solutions that will benefit the whole consortium. Alcoa’s role as an industry pioneer directly aligns with that model.”

Raymond J. Kilmer, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Alcoa, will serve on the Board of Directors for CCAM, and Sherri McCleary, Director of Materials & Process Technologies will serve on its Technical Advisory Council. 

Joseph F. Moody, CCAM President and Executive Director, said, “Alcoa is a multi-material powerhouse, a trailblazer in new production techniques and a leader in developing speed-to-market innovations. CCAM is delighted to welcome Alcoa to the team.”

The CCAM industry and government consortium now numbers 28 members, including Aerojet Rocketdyne, Airbus, Alcoa, Canon Virginia Inc., Chromalloy, Newport News Shipbuilding, Oerlikon Metco, Rolls-Royce, Sandvik Coromant, Siemens, Blaser Swisslube, EOS, Hermle Machine Co., Mitutoyo, Paradigm Precision, RTI International Metals, Inc., Buehler, Cool Clean Technologies, GF Machining Solutions, Mechdyne, National Instruments, Spatial Integrated Systems (SIS), and the NASA Langley Research Center.  

Academic partners are the Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Tech.

CCAM is based at a 62,000 square foot facility that has computational and engineering research labs, high bay production space and commercial scale equipment, and specialized equipment and tooling for research in surface engineering, manufacturing systems, additive manufacturing, machining technologies, composite materials processing, and welding and joining. Leveraging the combined strengths and capabilities from CCAM and the network of university, industry, and government partners, CCAM bridges the gap between research and commercialization, accelerating new developments to market. CCAM is located in a state-of-the-art research facility in Prince George County, Virginia. 

 www.ccam-va.com

www.alcoa.com

Source: PR Newswire

Written by

James Anderton

Jim Anderton is the Director of Content for ENGINEERING.com. Mr. Anderton was formerly editor of Canadian Metalworking Magazine and has contributed to a wide range of print and on-line publications, including Design Engineering, Canadian Plastics, Service Station and Garage Management, Autovision, and the National Post. He also brings prior industry experience in quality and part design for a Tier One automotive supplier.